OK JLN, here is my review of John Miles album called "Rebel 76".
"Music" - Very soulful and engaging. Reminds me of early Elton John. Like the studio version better.
"Everybody Wants Some More" - Same feel as the first one piano verse, full band orchestal build-up.
"Highfly" - Reminds me of Yes a little bit and a tad of Dennis DeYoung's song "Desert Moon". A cool tune, my favorite so far, like it a lot.
"You Have it All" - Another song with an orchestral epic feel that sounds like it should be in "Phantom of the Opera". Love the dual strat and the percussion breakdown parts.
"Rebel" - Nice arrangement, not my fave on the CD though, just kind of there. I do like the mystique guitar build-up on the chorus, so not too bad.
"When You Lose Someone So Young" - Nice ballad, great bridge, glad he resisted the temptation to make it too loud as the song progressed.
"Lady of My Life" - Nice electric piano, very 70s. Nice change of feel between this song and the previous one. A tad bland even with the sax solo, but not bad.
"Pull the [Darn] Thing Down" - Repeats a lot of the themes and feel of the rest of the CD. Nice nod to Ian Anderson / Jethro Tull at the few parts, wish they would have lasted longer and the song would have been more based on that. Nice dramatic end/reprise to the album.
Overall this guy is a musical powerhouse, very powerful and expressive voice, brimming with creativity, and likes to let it all loose. Cool CD and cool artist, thanks for introducing him to us, JLN. Cool, dynamic artist and CD. Songs done with a lot of feel and conviction. Like John Lennon said of Bob Dylan: "It's not so much what he says, but how he says it." Would be cool to see him and Elton John make an album sometime, they seem a lot alike musically to me.
Star Rating: 4 out of 5
Prime Cuts: "Highfly", "You Have it All", "When You Lose Someone So Young"
Bottom Line: Thoroughly interesting and engaging album.